Christian Cardoso
Class 3A No. 5 Columbus North kept its undefeated season still intact.
The Bull Dogs notched a goal in the first half and added an insurance goal in the final few seconds of the match for a 2-0 Conference Indiana boys soccer victory over Bloomington North Thursday night at the BCSC Soccer Complex.
“It was a very good win for the team,” Columbus North coach Andy Glover said.
The Bull Dogs (3-0, 2-0) put up some shot attempts early, but they finally got the breakthrough in the 14th minute. Nico Gotoh’s shot attempt was deflected off a defender. Obed Oliva got the touch on the ball on the right side and delivered a cross to an open Christian Cardoso. No one on the Bloomington North defense marked Cardoso, and he put the ball in the back the net to give Columbus North a 1-0 lead.
The Bull Dogs had a couple chances of adding to the lead in 61st minute when Gotoh’s shot attempt was saved, but Aidan Whitley collected the rebound and his shot attempt lobbed across the field and landed at the feet of Derek Arau. His shot attempt also lobbed above the goal. In the 74th minute, Cardoso had the opportunity to score his second goal of the match, but his shot went just wide on the left side of the post.
The Cougars had one final attempt to level the match in the 78th minute off of a corner kick, but the Columbus North defense cleared it. With five seconds left in the match, Whitley scored from just outside the box to double up the score right before the final buzzer.
The Bull Dogs finished with 10 shots, with four of them on goal. Bloomington North had four shots, with one of them on goal.
“I think the team is pleased with the result, but they are not content with their performance,” Glover said. “Bloomington fought hard, and I’m happy for them, but I think the team, not me, but the team is somewhat disappointed in the performance. It wasn’t their potential, but they are trying hard to find out what that potential is. Tonight, we didn’t go back, but I don’t think we went forward.”
